Description: Poet David McCord speaks about poetry and reads to fourth graders at the Williams School in Newton. Also studio interview and recitation of his poems.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/28/1984
Description: Brief interview and readings with South African writer Dennis Brutus. Discussion of civil rights and struggle for change. Brutus reads portions of poems "Sequence for South Africa," about the pain of his exile, and "Sharpeville," about the Sharpeville Massacre of March 21, 1960 in the Transvaal Province of South Africa.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/26/1982
Description: Derek Walcott, Saint Lucian poet, reads from his work. Walcott reads the poems "Sea Change" and "The Beachhead." Walcott begins to read the poem "Sea Cranes."
1:00:11: Visual: Derek Walcott (West Indian poet) reads from his work, a poem called "Sea Change." The poem is about the political unrest in the West Indies. 1:02:21: V: Walcott reads from his work, a poem called "The Beachhead." The poem is about an abandoned navy base in the West Indies. 1:04:34: V: Walcott begins to read from another poem called "Sea Cranes." Tape ends at the beginning of the reading.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/20/1982
Description: Poet Donald Hall in his rural homestead in Danbury, New Hampshire. Talks about his writing and his family. Reads his poetry. Barn interior.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/08/1991
Description: Poet Galway Kinnell reads his recent writing on the Persian Gulf war from MacDowell Colony cottage.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/25/1991
Description: Carmen Fields reports that the US Postal Service will issue a postage stamp bearing James Weldon Johnson's image in honor of Black History Month. Johnson was a poet, lawyer, diplomat, composer, and former director of the NAACP. Johnson is the composer of "Lift Every Voice," which is known as the "black national anthem." The Madison Park High School Choir performing "Lift Every Voice. Interview with professor Samuel Allen of Boston University, who was a student of Johnson's. He talks about Johnson's life and his legacy. Allen reads two of Johnson's poems. Fields report is accompanied by photos of Johnson and a shot of the postage stamp bearing his image.
1:00:07: Visual: Footage of the Madison Park High School Glee Club singing "Lift Every Voice." Carmen Fields reports that "Lift Every Voice" is known as the "black national anthem"; that the words to the song were written by James Weldon Johnson; that Johnson was a poet, diplomat, educator and the first African American lawyer in the state of Florida. V: Shots of a black and white photo of Johnson; of the caption beneath the photo. Fields reports that Johnson fought for anti-lynching laws as the executive director of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People); that Johnson also wrote lyrics for operas with his brother. Fields reports that Samuel Allen (professor, Boston University) was one of Johnson's students at Fisk University in the 1930s. V: Shot of a painting of Johnson. Footage of Allen being interviewed by Fields. Allen says that Johnson was "a Renaissance man." Allen notes that Johnson was an artist, writer, and diplomat. Allen reviews Johnson's accomplishments as US consul in Venezuela and in Nicaragua. Fields reports that Johnson is known for his poetry; that Johnson's poetry reflects the religious fervor in African American culture. V: Shot of a book of poetry held by Allen. Footage of Allen talking about and reading Johnson's poems, "The Creation" and "God's Trombones." Allen says that Johnson tried to immortalize the sermon of an African American preacher. Shot of a black and white photograph of Johnson. Fields reports that critics accused Johnson of hypocrisy for using religious themes in his poetry. V: Footage of Allen saying that Johnson was an agnostic. Shot of an image of Johnson on a US Stamp. Fields reports that "Lift Every Voice" was once seen as an unpatriotic and divisive song; that the song is now sung by school choirs and in churches. Fields notes that the US Postal Service will issue a stamp in honor of Johnson; that the stamp includes musical notation from "Lift Every Voice." V: Footage of the Madison Park High School Glee Club singing "Lift Every Voice." Shot of the US postal stamp featuring Johnson's image. Footage of Allen reading the lyrics of "Lift Every Voice."
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/01/1988
Description: 1985 arts compilation. Central Square through Jeff Dunn photographs. Anthony DiBonaventura plays Domenico Scarlatti. Poet Felicia Lamport. BPL director Arthur Curley. Composer Stephen Albert.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 1985
Description: Poetry reading and interview with South African poet Dennis Brutus. Tip O'Neill on Reagan administration cuts in social programs. (1982)
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 1982
Description: Marcus Jones reports on Northeastern University's observation of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. Jones notes that a ceremony commemorating King's life was held at the university. Jones' report includes footage from the ceremony. Sonia Sanchez (poet and teacher) talks about King. Jones' report also includes footage of King. Susan Sullivan (Northeastern Law student) makes the announcement that the university is awarding an honorary law degree to Nelson Mandela. Interviews with Daniel Givelber (Dean, Northeastern University School of Law) and Sullivan about the decision to award a degree to Mandela. Jones notes that the university trustees overturned a policy which required recipients of degrees to pick them up in person. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: David Scondras, Charles Yancey and Ray Flynn: Boston City Council makes fair housing policy
1:00:10: Visual: Footage of an African American man performing a song at a ceremony commemorating the life of Martin Luther King (civil rights leader) at Northeastern University. Shots of the audience. Marcus Jones reports that hundreds of people gathered at Northeastern to commemorate the life of King; that King's 59th birthday is Friday. V: Shots of King addressing a crowd; of King marching at the head of a group of civil rights demonstrators. Footage of Sonia Sanchez (poet and teacher) talks about King's struggle to advance the cause of civil rights. Sanchez says that King's work is not finished. Shots of audience members applauding. Jones reports that Sanchez was the featured speaker at the ceremony; that the remarks of Susan Sullivan (Northeastern Law student) were the highlight of the event. V: Footage of Sullivan announcing that the Board of Trustees at Northeastern University has decided to award an honorary law degree to Nelson Mandela (jailed South African leader). The crowd applauds. Jones reports that Northeastern law students have petitioned the university for three years to grant a degree to Mandela. V: Shot of the entrance to the library at Northeastern Law School. Shot of a paper taped to the door of the library. A handwritten note on the paper reads, "Trustees grant Mandela Honorary Degree." Jones reports that the request had been previously denied due to a policy which required recipients of degrees to pick them up in person. Jones notes that Mandela has been jailed by the South African government because of his opposition to apartheid. V: Black and white footage of Mandela speaking; of a sign for Pollsmoor Prison, where Mandela is held. Jones notes that the university's decision to accede to the demands of students and faculty is unprecedented. V: Footage of Jones interviewing Daniel Givelber (Dean, Northeastern University School of Law). Givelbar says that Northeastern has an unusually diverse group of Trustees; that the Trustees felt like they were doing the right thing. Givelbar notes that the Board of Trustees made the decision to divest two years ago. Footage of Susan Sullivan saying that the degree should have been granted when the students first petitioned for it; that the law students should not have had to fight so hard for it. Sullivan says that international recognition could hasten Mandela's release from jail. Jones notes that the scheduled protest by the students turned into a celebration. Jones says that Northeastern students hope that other universities will follow Northeastern's example.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/14/1988
Description: Interview with Mexican writer Octavio Paz about his biography of 17th century nun and poet Sor Juana. He compares her poetry and life to that of Emily Dickinson.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/14/1988